Another Vieira at Arsenal, what should fans expect?

PORTO. — Whenever Porto win a trophy, there is only one place to go in the city — the Avenida dos Aliados, in the downtown area.

That is where fans gather to wait for players and coaching staff to celebrate triumphs together.

It was no different in May after the northern giants were crowned Portuguese champions again.

For a second, though, one of the team’s breakout stars, Fabio Vieira, feared he would not be able to join his colleagues on the big stage.

A security officer had not recognised him and asked for his identification.

Vieira could not believe it.

He had just finished the league campaign with six goals and 14 assists to his name and yet was being stopped at the party’s entrance.

“Ma’am, that’s me,” he insisted, smiling, while being helped by a reporter from the club’s TV channel with cries of “he’s a player, he’s a player”.

The episode is telling of how fast things have happened for Vieira.

Last season was the first in which he enjoyed regular senior football and while it may not have been enough to establish him as an undisputed starter – or even for his face to become hugely recognisable in town — it was enough to convince Arsenal to secure a 40m euros deal for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder.

“Players like Fabio are worth a lot of money, so if you can grab them before they fully break out, why not? That’s smart business,” Manuel Tulipa, a former Porto youth coach, told BBC Sport.

“He’s that kind of creative midfielder who comes with the solution when you’re struggling during a game. He can see what’s going on around him and anticipate what will happen. That’s the dream for any manager and the sort of footballer that clubs are always after.”

With a left foot that oozes class, the boy from Argoncilhe, a suburb south of Porto, has been described as a rebel on the pitch.

He has self-confidence and, no matter the situation, refuses to play the obvious ball and pass backwards or sideways. It may sound risky, but the ball often ends up in the back of the net as a result.

“Fabio has the intelligence of the wise old men,” Porto’s assistant coach Vitor Bruno summarised.

It will now be up to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to harness that footballing intelligence and make sure he fulfils his potential. — BBC Sport.